The Forgotten Qualities of Great Leaders

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In our society, leaders are often judged by their status and position within an organization. However, great leaders possess qualities that go beyond just being in charge. They have empathy, humility, perspective, and transparency – they understand that their real job is to take care of those in their charge. Unfortunately, these qualities are often overlooked and not properly trained for, leading to the rise of managers rather than true leaders.

When we start out in our careers, our main responsibility is to be good at our jobs. We receive extensive training on how to perform our tasks, and we work hard to excel in our positions. However, when we are eventually promoted to a leadership position, we are often unprepared for the new responsibilities that come with it. We are now responsible for the people who do the job we used to do, but no one shows us how to lead.

The transition from being responsible for a job to being responsible for people is not always easy. Some make it quickly, some make it slowly, and some never make it at all. This is because leadership is a skill, like any other, that requires practice and training. It is something that can be learned and improved upon, and although it is a big step for personal growth, it comes at a sacrifice.

Great leaders understand that they are not in charge, but rather responsible for those in their charge. They give credit where credit is due and take responsibility when things go wrong. They stay late to show someone how to do something and encourage them to try again when something does not go to plan. They understand that their primary responsibility is to take care of their people, who are responsible for the job and the customers.

In a personal example of a recent dining experience – I went to a restaurant in Dubai, and what stood out was its exceptional customer service. The reason this experience stood out for this was not just the fancy delicious dishes, but the people who work there.  The staff are genuinely friendly and caring, and customers feel valued and appreciated. Even the busboys who clear finished dishes go above and beyond to make customers feel welcome and happy. When I asked them why they show this level of attention, they told me that’s how the manager, Sagar, treats not only their customers but the employees as well. 

Great leaders also understand that true success is not achieved overnight. It takes patience, persistence, and a steadfast commitment to the end goal. The road to success is never easy, but with patience, even the most daunting challenges can be overcome. They know that success is a journey, not a destination, and that setbacks and obstacles are simply part of the process. With patience, they can weather any storm and come out stronger on the other side.

But patience alone is not enough – there is also a critical role for transparency. Leaders must communicate openly and honestly with their team members, sharing information freely and seeking feedback to improve themselves and their organization.

Transparency is a key component of effective leadership. When leaders are transparent, they build trust with their team members and create a culture of openness and collaboration. This allows for more effective decision-making and problem-solving, as everyone is working together towards a common goal.

Great leaders know that transparency is not always easy. It requires a willingness to be vulnerable and to admit when mistakes have been made. But it is this willingness to be open and honest that sets great leaders apart from the rest. 

Another place where I have experienced great leadership and particularly transparency is in my current role at a mid-sized communication agency in Dubai. Sophie Simpson, the founder, has led by being the example of what a leader should be – value-driven, empathetic, courageous, transparent, and kind – and the true testament to this is the people that represent the company. They are compassionate to each other, go the extra mile with a smile and care about their fellow colleagues and their clients because that is what they experience from the top down. 

Sophie nurtures, upskills, and seeks out support and resources to challenge the agency and individual teams to connect, learn, and grow. One thoughtful example of her transparency is her focus on building strong second-tier management, with the aim of ensuring the whole team is brought along the journey with full clarity as to what the end goal is. To bolster this example, the team defined the company values together, has training workshops to understand behavioral and management styles,  and undertakes training sessions dedicated to ‘leading with purpose’. 

In conclusion, great leaders possess qualities that go beyond being in charge. They have empathy, perspective, patience and transparency – they understand that their primary responsibility is to take care of their people. Leadership is a skill that can be learned and improved upon, but it requires practice and training. It comes at a sacrifice, but the rewards of seeing your people thrive and succeed are immeasurable.

 

 

Words By: Aaron Illathu, Junior Account Manager at Atteline